A Juneau man was arrested after police removed him from the roof of the Nugget Mall Juneau after police say he was reported trespassing, caused thousands of dollars in damage to the building’s HVAC units and threw pieces of the damaged units at the responding officers below.
Vance R. Webster III, 32, of Juneau was arrested on charges of third-degree criminal mischief (class C felony), violating conditions of release (class A misdemeanor) and criminal trespassing (class B misdemeanor) at approximately 9:40 a.m. Sunday, stated Juneau Police Department spokesperson Erann Kalwara in an email response to the Empire.
Following his arrest, Webster was taken to Lemon Creek Correctional Center. Capital City Fire/Rescue also responded to the scene, police say, and assisted JPD officers in bringing Webster off the roof safely.
Nugget Mall released a statement on social media shortly after the incident, expressing displeasure at the Juneau Police Department’s handling of repeat offenders such as Webster.
Police say Webster was out on a conditional release for six open court cases and was reported to have previously trespassed at the mall.
Webster has yet to have his first felony appearance in court, according to the state’s court system.
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807.
